This weekends incident between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski has gotten many fans worked up about why Edwards only got a three race probation and not a harsher penalty after intentional wrecking Brad Keselowski's No. 12 Dodge in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500. This brings me back to an incident that happened in 1993 and if you think this penalty is bad wait until you hear what happened in 1993.
It was the running of the Winston 500, one of NASCAR's most premier events. The incident occured during the last two laps with something that is similar to today’s green-white-checkered sinario. Ernie Irvan worked his No. 4 Kodak Chevrolet to the front of the pack. Jimmy Spencer was close behind and Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett were side by side for third.
That's when something happened that is still clear in everyone's mind who witnessed that race that afternoon. Wallace got a push from Dale Earnhardt who then hit Rusty Wallace's No. 2 Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac at full speed, sending Wallace into a spin and a horrible crash resulting in Wallace's car flipping over six times, leaving Benny Parsons to say "It looks like a bomb went off down there."
Wallace was battling for third and Earnhardt who was in the championship hunt with Wallace, decided there was only one way to gain points on Wallace that day and spin him into the infield. However, Earnhardt couldn't have vision what was going to happen to Wallace's car.
On his way back to the infield Earnhardt stopped to see if Rusty Wallace had survived this horrific incident. Wallace had indeed survived the accident, shown when he climbed from the remains of his battered Pontiac Grand Prix. He suffered a broken wrist along with other minor injuries. Wallace said “Earnhardt will wreck you at Talladega.”
It was a horrifying accident that everyone who witnessed it thought that Earnhardt would surely get penalized for. However, nothing came down on the then five time champion. Not even being called to a meeting with Wallace or probation.
So maybe NASCAR was harsh on Carl Edwards. Maybe the penalty was in fact steep. However you look at it, flipping someone intentionally at the worlds fastest racetrack isn’t safe either.
Earnhardt didn’t get as much flack as Edwards has. No one in the media killed Earnhardt like Chris Myers killed Edwards this week on FOX.
It was a strikingly similar incident, for Edwards however, it didn’t have a strikingly similar outcome for him.
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I WEAR A CARL EDWARDS HAT... I'AM A CARL EDWARD FAN... I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS SAID OR NOT SAID AFTER A RACE.... BUT I JUST LIKE THAT AFLAC DUCK ON MY HAT.. HE IS A BETTER DRIVER THAN THE WHOLE BUNCH.... HAVE A GOOD ONE...
From Ed,3/15/2010
Back in the day you didnt have all the Tv coverage that you do today. Or all the so called "Professional Analysts" who dont know crap. Maybe Carl could have waited for a better time, but what is the saying "No time like the present time." Let these guys race thats what got Na$car where it is . Drivers cant be worried that if they spin someone out that they will get suspended or fined or lose points . This happens at every track around the world people, its called racing its not a ball and stick sport. Let these guys race. Remember second place is the first LOSER.
From Alan,3/13/2010
Maybe we should go back and look for something that happened in the 60s or the 50s. Apple and oranges. Carl was wrong this time. Time to Move On
From Mr. Willi,3/13/2010
Good for Carl! Bad Brad finally got a reality check notice. It said to him, that he must start respecting the drivers that he is racing with, because he isn't anywhere near to being Earnhardt Sr. & so he shouldn't be trying to race the way Dale Sr. did !!!Carl admits to intentionally trying to spin him out, but didn't mean for him to flip. Think back a year ago when Brad got Carl's back wheels off of the ground at Talladega,also at 180 + mph.Knowing there was a good chance that he would cause Carl's car to either flip or hit the wall. Carl blew it off then, but drivers have a long memory,when it comes to being wronged and pay backs are Hell! Come on people, having wrecks,flipping cars, hitting walls are part of the racing experience and will always happen. Brad needs to put his "Big Boy Pants" on, shut up and race. Chris Myers & all of those commentators should also shut up & just eat their shorts. They are there to call a race, not give their personal opinions---we have too much of that on the news and TV stations as it is.
From Mrs. Goodman,3/13/2010
If Cousin Carl and Brad the Brat had met in the motorcoach lot after the race, and "The Buffest of the Buff" had proceeded to beat the ever living daylights out of "The Daring Darling", would assault and battery charges have been filed against Edwards? Would he have been arrested for his crime and blacklisted by NASCAR and his sponsors? Would the public be outraged? At this stage in the game, I am exhausted by all the suppositions and opinions and venting by fans and critics. Maybe the drivers should "self police" themselves with boxing gloves. ...privately. Let the all knowing ticket buyers, television watchers, radio listeners and news readers just stay out of the mess. Enough already! Let's get back to racin'. Nobody died, mercifully. Can we be over this?
From ray,3/13/2010
reply to jerry reid.....GOOD we don't want your pansy baby butt there, besides you would have to bring your POS lawyer with, I'm sure
From Bettye Knight,3/13/2010
I have always been a Dale Earnhardt fan, but I didn't agree with that flip, I don't agree with Carl Edwards flip either, and I do think that he got a slap on the wrist, Brad has a chip on his shoulder, but look at Steve Parks, and Ernie Irvan, There raceing career, and almost their life was taking away. What has to happen, before some one does something , that applies to everyone? That is why I don't like racing any more. It is not the drivers, IT'S NASCAR. I could care less if I watch it any more.
From Barry,3/13/2010
Difference.....Earnhardt wasn't 155 laps down and was racing for a spot.
From Jerry Reid,3/12/2010
There nothing you can say that will justify what Crazy Carl did. It is just a miracle several fans were not hurt or even killed, not mention the drivers had damaged cars and could have been killed as well. Note, there will never be a day come when I set in the stands at a Nascar race, it is not safe.
From Bev,3/12/2010
Let CE's & BK settle this. Go on to something else to bitch about.
